So I finally got around to do your trick it didnt work, but the grip did work for a few seconds with the AAs randomly. Its funny the grip on the D7000 works perfectly, I can remove the battery and it still works, but D800 doesnt. I cant remove the tray, if I do the camera assume the battery is dead, so I need to remove grip completely with EN-EL15 and then it works. I have a long weekend of shooting, hopefully it works out.

cosmicnode
wrote:

Have you got your AA battery type set in custom memory d11 ?. It could be your batteries, I have had problems with rechargeable Ni-MH batteries lately in my sb 700 flash. they were charged but would not turn on the flash , I tried several sets and then found a set that would turn it on ,much to my relief. Later I found that pushing the batteries into the holder and rotating them before closing the door got them working. It appears that it takes very little to stop the current flowing, the contacts on the batteries were slightly corroded although it was not visible to me. Removing the tray and replacing it with the other battery type has no effect on the camera , and turning it on without a tray in does not effect the on-board battery the camera focuses and shutter fires, no problem. My camera is set to use battery in the pack before on-board battery.

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Mike.

"I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit, it's the only way to be sure."